Women’s soccer at the Olympics always has extra meaning. In the early-mid 90s, women’s soccer was around but didn’t have the same infrastructure as today. The first World Cup was in 1991, and the first Olympics with women’s soccer was in 1996. These were the only two significant competitions in which women had to showcase their skills as the creme de la creme women’s soccer players. Every athlete dreams of winning a Gold Medal for their country, and these 12 teams have a chance to make history. The easier the group, the easier it’ll be to get to the quarterfinal; the opposite applies to the tougher groups. Here’s my ranking of the Olympic Women’s Soccer Groups from strongest to weakest.
Group B – United States, Germany, Australia, Zambia (Group of Death)
Group B earns the title of Group of Death because all four teams in this group are extremely dangerous. The United States, Germany, and Australia are three teams that all have a chance to come away with the Bronze medal, the minimum, but the group’s wild card is Zambia. Flashback to last year, in a warm-up game before the World Cup, Zambia stunned Germany 3-2. Both of Zambia’s goalscorers are stars in the NWSL now, with Barbra Banda in Orlando and Rachael Kundananji with Bay FC. NWSL fans have gotten a chance to watch these two players closely, and we can safely say these two have the ability to take over a game at any time, and now they’re on the same team.
Whether they advance or not, Zambia will give the rest of the group fits. This is all while the USWNT, Germans, and Matildas will have to worry about intense matchups with each other. Whoever comes out of this group will be battle-tested for the Quarterfinals.
Group C – Spain, Japan, Nigeria, Brazil
Group C is not too far behind Group B, which features the World Cup Champions Spain, Japan, Nigeria, and Brazil. All four teams in this group also have the chance to make it to the quarterfinal. Spain and Japan should be favored to finish as the top two teams in the group. Spain is loaded and surely one of the favorites to win gold alongside the United States.
Japan is always sturdy with its play, tactics, and discipline, which makes it very tough to beat. Nigeria and Brazil also have some great players in their ranks and have a chance to do well, but history is not on their side. Nigeria’s best finish at the Olympics was in the quarterfinals in 2004, and Brazil’s best was a silver medal finish in 2004 and 2008. It’s been a while since both sides have made a splash in this competition, which puts this group slightly below Group B in terms of overall strength.
Group A – France, Canada, New Zealand, Colombia
Group A is the weakest group, and it favors the host country, France. Canada is always a strong team and will look to defend its gold medal, but the other two teams are the weakest in the field.
New Zealand has been steadily improving, and they’ve got some great pros on their side, with Ali Riley leading the way. However, they don’t have the goal scoring to be able to get the points needed to advance. Colombia is in its third straight Olympics but has yet to get out of the Group Stage. Considering the three teams’ advance, this is Colombia’s best chance to get to the quarterfinals if they can beat New Zealand. With only two strong teams out of four, Group A is clearly the weakest group of the three at the Olympics. Regardless of how strong each group is, this is one of the best groups of teams that’s ever been at the Olympics.
You’re not going to want to miss this. Come August, we’re going to witness some incredible soccer.
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